PGWP Processing Time: ~90-180 Days Online (July 2026)

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) processing time in Canada is approximately 90-180 days for online inland applications as of July 2026. Paper applications and applications submitted from outside Canada run longer, typically 4-7 months. IRCC does not publish a single PGWP service standard in its monthly Flpt JSON; processing varies by application channel, completeness of documentation, and whether the program of study qualifies under the 2024-2026 field-of-study eligibility list.

To qualify for a PGWP you must have completed a full-time program of at least eight months at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), graduated from a PGWP-eligible program (the field-of-study list updated in late 2024 narrowed eligibility for many college programs), held valid status throughout your studies, and applied within 180 days of graduation. The work permit is valid for the same length as your study program, up to a maximum of three years.

Applying online while still inside Canada with valid student status (or while on the 90-day visitor period after status expiry) is the fastest path. Applying from outside Canada requires a fresh visa office assessment and pushes processing times to the upper end of the range. Files flagged for additional review (program eligibility uncertainty, missing transcripts, language test gaps for university programs) extend processing past 180 days.